When establishing legumes in a grass pasture, what practice should be avoided?

When establishing legumes in a grass pasture, applying large amounts of nitrogen fertilizer should be avoided because legumes have a natural ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere into a form that plants can use. This characteristic makes them unique compared to non-leguminous plants, as they engage in a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria in their root nodules. When nitrogen fertilizer is added in excess, it can inhibit the nitrogen fixation process of legumes. This is because high levels of available nitrogen can reduce the plant's need to develop its own nitrogen-fixing capabilities, potentially leading to poor establishment and competition with grasses that do not have this ability. In essence, too much nitrogen can undermine the very trait that makes legumes advantageous in a mixed pasture setting.